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comment by b_b
b_b  ·  4744 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Are we moving towards an era of communication through pictures?
First off, don't ever go to that suburban hospital again! Its a shithole of the highest order.

But, more to the point, there is an interesting qualitative difference between images captured to commemorate an experience, and those captured for exploratory reasons. Namely, one tries to freeze reality in a still, take the information that we know exists and approximate it on paper or screen, albeit never perfectly. The other peers into the unknown and leaves us with more information than we began. Herein lies the problem. What to do with the information once its obtained?

I think this is where good old fashioned hard work counts. Technology can only take us so far. There is nothing better about an MRI scan that one would obtain at the smallest diagnostic center in the middle of nowhere, and one that is obtained at a large, teaching hospital. So what is the difference? I think it is this. A world of images that lack any creative people to interpret them properly is useless, a barrage of information that might as well be a commercial or a Jackson Pollack painting. Let's be grateful that we don't live in that world. Hopefully, you can use your experience to inspire a few of your students to study hard to become the next generation of creatives.





katakowsj  ·  4744 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Couldn't agree more about the unmeasureable degree of necessity proper interpretation takes on when viewing images, especially those of an exploratory type. Knowing an interpretation of an exploratory image to be of high and beneficial quality falls solely on the interpreter and the belief of the individual for which that was interpreted. "Buyer Beware" is the closest approximation of which I've been able to reproduce the meaning I am attempting to convey from my recent experiences. I chuckle and thank you for the opening statement of your reply. I unfortunately cannot agree wholeheartedly. I will agree that for those individuals with low grade glioma type tumors seeking experienced, advanced, and technologically forward treatments, please stay away. This is not your place. They will work in earnest on your behalf to get you the right treatments. This suburban hospital will do what they can within their limits. Unfortunately, as people will, they will also offer to venture into fields in which they have limited experience in order to solve what afflicts you. Unfortunately, this could end you. Fortunately, if you listen carefully, critically ask questions, and consult those around you that do have the experience, knowledge, and skills, you will most likely find a better resolution to the problem at hand. Fortunately you will find yourself as I did on April 13 at 9AM sitting in front of the very best people in the world suited to handle step one of my low grade glioma problem. It's teamwork that really may be the key to quality interpretation. One neuro-oncologist, one neuro-surgeon, my brother a cancer research specialist, and my wife (acting as my advocate and B.S. checker) that finally brought it together. Thoughts in that room moved forward unabated as each person took turns to contribute their expertise and no more. Pure information interpreted and delivered via confidence and experience. Likelihoods were discussed. Certainties were made clear, and possibilities of the future were mapped as well. The sum of the whole being greater than the parts. It was a beautiful thing. I look forward to seeing more of it in the future. Take care.

Jeff

b_b  ·  4744 days ago  ·  link  ·  
P.S. I've been to that hospital many times, and my aunt is a nurse there. You are right to temper my words; its not that bad, but I wouldn't go there for anything too serious. Too many bad experiences over the years.
b_b  ·  4744 days ago  ·  link  ·  
    One neuro-oncologist, one neuro-surgeon, my brother a cancer research specialist, and my wife...

And one patient. Don't underestimate yourself in your treatment and healing; the team is very incomplete without you. Despair is easy to come by in these types of circumstances, but its toxic. I'm not really a cancer guy, but I know a lot about brain healing in general. I can tell you with all my confidence that thinking positively, any kind of exercise you can get, even really light exercise (in fact one study showed that just imagining oneself exercising had a positive effect on recovery from brain injuries), and really, just trying to have as good of an attitude as you can are some of the best medicines out there. I can sit here on my couch and say all this like its easy. Of course its not. But stay positive and confident, my friend.